Longannet power station will be cleaner and operate longer thanks to new technology given the go ahead today.

ScottishPower's application to fit 'selective catalytic reduction' equipment to three of the four boilers has been approved by Energy Minister Jim Mather. A strategy to manage and dispose of the ash that will be generated as a result has also been approved.

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Mr Mather said: "This project will significantly reduce the harmful sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from Longannet: it will help the facility meet stringent European requirements for large power stations and extend the operational life of the station by an extra 10 years to 2030, further contributing to Scotland's energy security.

"In addition to these developments, we are taking action to make Scotland a world leader in carbon capture and storage (CCS). I welcome ScottishPower's commitment to making Longannet such a strong contender to win the UK CCS competition. I congratulate them on their success today in being awarded funding for an engineering study to progress to demonstration of commercial scale CCS technology."

(GK)